Lalu wants Rs 100,000 pension for MPs

NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad on Thursday demanded that the salary and pension of MPs should be increased to Rs 80,000 and Rs 100,000 per month respectively as many male MPs “will lose their jobs once the women’s reservation bill is passed”.

Many MPs from the treasury and opposition benches welcomed the suggestion by thumping on their desks. Lalu Prasad was taking part in a discussion on the Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha.

According to parliament officials, MPs now draw a salary of Rs 16,000 and their pension is Rs 8,000. However, a MP draws a considerable amount in the form of allowances.

Referring to the salary being drawn by the civil services officers after the implementation of Sixth Pay Commission, Lalu Prasad said: “MPs’ salary should be increased to Rs 80,000 and pension to Rs 100,000. I’m making this demand because many MPs will lose their job once the women’s reservation bill is passed.”

When finance minister Pranab Mukherjee completed his reply, MPs asked about their salary and allowances.

Mukherjee said there is “an institutional arrangement” in parliament to look into the matter. He said currently a parliamentary committee of both houses headed by Rajya Sabha MP SS Ahluwalia was examining the matter.